When I turn on my front porch lights (flush-mounted, under cover), they trip the breaker. What would cause this? Thx.
-
KMS Woodworks on Mar 16, 2012Julie, The simple answer is you have a short some where. A few weeks ago I had to replace some wiring in my brothers home. As it turns out he had some squirrels get into the ceiling space and build a nest... the buggers chewed up a few sections of wiring all the way to bare copper. To check this out first check ( or have your electrician) check the connections in the fixtures themselves and at the switch. If those are good you will need to look deeper. In my brothers case we had some "clues" as he would hear noises up there now and then. This allowed me to target the investigation to find the problem. The pic below is from above the "nest" area. We expanded this repair to fix another problem that had plagued him from when they first moved in. That problem was the same...squirrel eaten wires... but finding it was much harder as the entry hole had been covered years before during some painting work. Part of the "package" if this turns out to be animal caused is to block the entry point to prevent this from happening again.Helpful Reply
-
-
Julie B on Mar 16, 2012Wow, they caused some intense damage! So glad you were able to find and fix this for him. I haven't heard any critters, so I'll hope for a short. Thanks so much for the direction!Helpful Reply
-
-
Midlantic Contracting LLC / Midlantic Electric Inc on May 18, 2012Troubleshooting and repairing a short in the circuit is the hardest and most expensive electrical work for a homeowner. I've seen many wires in that same condition from one rodent or another; it's not just squirrels. Hopefully you can find signs of some sort to get a start on things. Otherwise it's just hit and miss with troubleshooting techniques. You could get lucky and find it in 10 minutes or it could take 10 hours or more if it's well hidden. And then the building repairs start. Good luck, you'll need it.Helpful Reply
-
Related Discussions
Where is your favorite place to shop: Dollar Tree, Walmart, or Target?
Let's chat about our go-to shopping destinations! Whether you're on the hunt for budget-friendly bargains, everyday essentials, or trendy finds, we all have our favor... See more
Yay or Nay: open shelving in the kitchen?
One trend that's been gaining popularity lately is the use of open shelving for kitchen design.So, what's your take on it? Are you ready to embrace this trend, or do ... See more
How to use unused bathtub for storage
We do not use our bathtub, so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to turn it into storage--shelves or something--without too much effort. Thanks
How to find out the value of antique furniture
My husband and I are looking to sell his grandmother's dining room set but, we have no idea what to ask for it. We could not find any markings as to who made it, all ... See more
Can I use scented epsom salts for plants?
I've read to use empson salt in your plants, but my question is can I use scented Epsom salts?
How can I prevent my "full of yard waste" paper bags from the rain?
I don't have any place to store them once full, inbetween biweekly pick-ups. My yard is large, many bags, and not in a position to fully compost yet. Thanks!!!